The Film

Film Synopsis

LA DANY is an intimate portrait of Dany Castaño Quintero, a transgender performance artist from Medellín, Colombia. For over 20 years, Dany has entertained the crowds that gather in Bolívar Park following Sunday evening mass. Her improvised show with its over-the-top depictions of kidnappings, rapes, murders and infidelities is pure entertainment — high on audience interaction, low on good taste, and filled with every swear word known in this part of Colombia.

People love Dany. And Dany loves her fans. As a result, she’s become a popular character among the poor and disposed and an icon for the city’s gay community. Her reputation as an odd but endearing character has been further enhanced by her many acts of generosity, especially towards those even less fortunate than herself. In fact, Dany thinks it’s time she was rewarded with a statue of her own in Bolívar Park.

But away from her adoring public, life is a struggle. Barely able to read or write, Dany forges a day-to-day existence to stay safe, sane and alive. To make money, she collects cardboard, sells cigarettes and performs karaoke on the street. In the past, her mouthy attitude has put her in conflict with both the police and the Roman Catholic Church. Now, menaced by petty gangsters and vengeful neighbors, Dany is never far from the conflict that has characterized this city for more than two decades.

Shot on the streets in Medellín, the film weaves performance footage, interviews, and re-enactments into a compassionate portrait of a uniquely resilient and courageous individual.

A new feature documentary from Julie and Jim Giles of Brother & Sister Productions.

Photos

Behind-the-scenes photos of the making of “La Dany.”

Videos

Check out our video channel on YouTube.

The Musicians

Follow the link to the Websites of our musical partners — Latin Grammy Award-winning Alex Cuba, Ron Davis, Rubén “Beny” Esguerra and Diego Marulanda.

Music Tracklist

Information on the music tracks featured in “La Dany” and score by Colombian-Canadian percussionist Rubén “Beny” Esguerra.

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Brother & Sister Productions

204-284 St. Helen's Avenue
Toronto, ON, Canada, M6H 4A4
Tel: 1+ (0) 416-878-5328
E-mail: info@ladany.com

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